NJ A1834

Establishes an 11-member "Kidney Disease Prevention and Education Task Force" within the Department of Health to develop public awareness campaigns about early kidney disease detection and treatment through health education programs, screenings, and media outreach

Task force will examine racial disparities in chronic kidney disease rates, kidney transplantations, and organ donations, and identify opportunities to promote health equity

Members include 4 state legislators (2 Assembly, 2 Senate), the Commissioner of Health, the Director of the Office of Minority and Multicultural Health, and 5 public members appointed by the Governor (a nephrologist, primary care physician, pharmaceutical representative, dialysis center representative, and a patient with Stage 2-4 chronic kidney disease)

Task force must submit a report of findings and recommendations to the Governor and Legislature within two years of organizing, then expires 30 days after issuing the report

Legislative findings note approximately 37 million Americans and over 200,000 New Jersey residents have chronic kidney disease, with African-Americans developing kidney failure at nearly four times the rate of Caucasians